A fresh look at Crocodile Tears has emerged with the release of its trailer, just ahead of the film’s world debut at the Toronto Film Festival. This debut feature from Indonesian director Tumpal Tampubolon tells the story of Johan, who lives in isolation with his mother on a crocodile farm.
Their secluded existence revolves around a white crocodile, their only companion. However, when Johan begins a relationship with a local girl named Arumi, their once peaceful life is thrown into turmoil, threatening their fragile balance.
The film is a global collaboration, co-produced by Indonesia’s Talamedia (Mandy Marahimin), Singapore’s Giraffe Pictures (Anthony Chen and Teoh Yi Peng), France’s Acrobates Films (Claire Lajoumard), and Germany’s 2Pilots Filmproduction (Harry Flöter and Jörg Siepmann). Worldwide sales are being managed by Cercamon, under the guidance of experienced sales agent Sebastien Chesneau.
Tampubolon is no stranger to filmmaking, having previously written screenplays and directed short films like The Sea Calls for Me, which earned him the Sonje Award for Best Short Fiction at the 2021 Busan International Film Festival.
The inspiration for Crocodile Tears stemmed from a crocodile documentary Tampubolon once watched. One scene stood out to him—a mother crocodile protecting her young by holding it in her jaws. “I found it attracting that something so menacing could also be so tender,” Tampubolon shared with Variety.
This striking image led Tampubolon to reflect on parent-child relationships in his own culture. “In Indonesia, it’s common for adults to live with their parents well into their 30s, and parental influence remains strong. While it can be comforting, it also feels suffocating at times,” he explained.
The film’s development was supported by its inclusion in the now-closed Southeast Asian Fiction Film Lab (SEAFIC). Tampubolon credits the program’s key figure, Raymond Phathanavirangoon, for recognizing the story’s potential. “SEAFIC was pivotal in getting this film on track. Though it took us six years to secure financing, that program made this story possible,” Tampubolon revealed.
Shot on location at a real crocodile park near Jakarta, the film required the cast to undergo safety training to work with live crocodiles. Tampubolon ensured their safety by taking the first step himself. “I made sure to interact with the crocodiles first to show it was safe—if anything went wrong, I’d be the first to know,” he joked.
With Crocodile Tears, Tampubolon hopes audiences will be drawn into an unusual world rarely depicted on screen. “The crocodile park setting and the lives of the caretakers are something audiences might find intriguing,” he said. Beyond its distinctive backdrop, the film also taps into the struggles faced by younger generations dealing with family pressures and generational tensions.
Already planning his next feature, Tampubolon will continue to explore parent-child relationships in future projects. Following its Toronto premiere, Crocodile Tears will make its way to the Busan International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival.